“The prototyped panel is equipped with an LCD panel that generates the GRIN lens and is positioned in front of the LCD panel used for displaying images,” explained Nikkei’s Shinya Saeki.

“When the power of this second LCD panel is off, the refraction index does not change and light passes in a normal way, showing a 2D image. When the power is on, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a radial pattern in parallel with the electrodes arranged like stripes in the vertical direction. And they work as lenses to show 3D images.”

Saeki added that 2D and 3D images were simultaneously displayed by partially activating the second panel, while a third panel helped switch between 2D and 3D images at high speed.